O'Sullivan set for defence

Organisers of November's tournament at Event City have revealed the top 16 players who will take part in the quick-fire knockout competition, where a shot-clock ensures each game lasts no more than 30 minutes.

Lining up alongside O'Sullivan will be current world champion John Higgins, winner of this year's China Open Judd Trump and Australia's 2010 world champion Neil Robertson.

Shanghai Masters champion Mark Selby will also be in the mix, along with Mark Williams, Ding Junhui, Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter.

Stephen Maguire, Graeme Dott, Stuart Bingham, Mark Allen, Matthew Stevens, Stephen Lee and Martin Gould complete the stellar cast.

The fast-paced competition will also feature live music and Power Girls, who will lead the players into the auditorium at the Trafford Centre.